Power and interconnect cable review.

Sorry Now Gone

 

Thanks for the review...

Without sparking a full on cable debate, I got a hifi shop to put £900 worth of Nordost mains cables on thier £12k ish system. None of us could hear a difference over the standard stuff (mgr and assistants included). I remain open minded but perhaps it's because that one is a poor performer. I may even ask another shop to do the same with a different mains cable.

Cheers, Tim

 

Hi Timf

Not my intention at all. I don't want another cable war. These are my findings nothing more nothing less. For what they are worth in the context of my system.

Toshiba SD900E, brilliant bit of kit. Do you use it as was or with modifications ? If so what ? One of the best things Toshiba ever made and better/cheaper than the 9500 follow up model IMO/E. I still use mine and it has HDCD as well.

Regards and thanks D Louth 77

 

Good grief.

 

Thanks for posting your impressions D Louth, very interesting

 

interesting, 77. I have been thinking of trying a new power cord ( I use what's in the box )with the darTZeel power amp and thought of nordost, but now maybe not. Last thing I want is a bleached sound. Will try missing link cryo when I can, and maybe the Audience. Is yours the standard or 'e' version?

 

Hi Monya

The Audience cable is a Standard not E. I have yet to hear any of the E series cables.

regards D Louth 77

 

I still fail to see how a one mtre power cord can make the skightest difference to the sound .

 

I run very modest power cables but I've never been tempted by anything overly exotic. I understand the scepticism - given that the miles of cable running from generator to socket are largely outside of your control, throwing bucket loads of cash on the last metre seems a little like shaving white truffle on a pot noodle.

Thread hijack while you're around Keith - did you ever get those valve damper thingies from Mr Park?

 

LBR I am just old and grumpy, but amps do have transformers capacitors which store current until it is needed, so I will remain a sceptical old codger, re thread hijack, things are moving apace with Allnic, we are going to reduce prices by approx 20% across the range and I will be getting some of those valve damper thingies!
Take care of yourselves, Keith.

 

Hi Keith

Those valve dampers are pretty good on pre-amp valves. Ive heard them before. Cheap when you get high heat resistant silicon rings, there was an ancient thread on it.

I reckon careful pre-amp valve selection can give you a whisper quiet pre anyway, but I really like this if you have noisy pre-valves.

Nice speakers and amps by the way!

 

Nice of you to say so Chris , if you decide to make your speakers commercially let me know! Keith.

 

Hi Guys

Hi Keith

Yes I know what you are saying and it does not make sense agreed. I just reported what I heard, I can offer no explanation.

I wish I could not hear these changes in sound, it would make audio life more simple and cheaper.

Regards D Louth 77

 

There is no value in aftermarket power cords: the manufacturers supply them free to dealers, who pay back a percentage if anyone is silly enough to buy one.

The difference in perceived sound is readily explicable.

 

Lovely isn't it. We all apply our wonderful (and in some cases very simplistic 'logic') and there can be no difference and reason for using good mains leads.

BUT there it is. Well said and you can take the asbestos jacket off.....or not...

 

Extraordinary claims require extraordinary proof. Certain audiophiles' overweening vanity causes them to claim they can hear differences where none exists. Blinded auditioning always reveals the truth.

It really is as simple as that.

 

The really good thing about 'custom' power cords is that you can have them made as long as required which is handy, Merry Christmas everyone.

 

It pains me that people are still taken in by Nordost's chicanery.

 

And others belief systems mean they do not hear when there are differences or they and their equipment are unable to.

Blinded...I'll keep my vision

DBT is a crude test for a subtle effect. So far I have seen reports that DBTs show no statistically significant differences for amps and CD players. I do not believe that and people can check this at home easily.

Only if life was as simple as basic physics, sorry it is a real world with complications.....

 

Nordost insist on listening tests and do them at exhibitions. If you can hear a difference and like it then buy them, otherwise don't. Me, I hear a difference but don't like the sound, so didn't buy. No chicanery.